CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application relates to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-288343, filed on Sep. 30, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a pest-control product that protects various targets from pests that can cause damage to the targets.
2. Related Art
Resin products containing repellents and having a generally triangular-pyramid shape have been introduced as pest-repellent products that contain components that have the effect of repelling arthropods, such as ants, spiders, and centipedes, and similar pests. If a pest-repellent product is attached to a trunk of a plant that bears produce like fruits and nuts, the pest-repellent product can, by the cumulative effect of the generally triangular-pyramid shape and the repellent, block various pests, such as imported red fire ants in particular, crawling up the trunk from the ground, and prevent damage caused by the pests to the produce (see U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0139061).
There is also a method for protecting target(s) from insects by attaching a pest-repellent product, which is made of a resin containing a pest-repelling component, to a target to be protected from pests, that has the pest-repelling component gradually released from the pest-repellent product, thereby protecting the target using the effect of the pest-repelling component (see JP-A-2004-357553).
However, since the pest-repellent products described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0139061 and JP-A-2004-357553 are structured so that they are placed directly on target(s) to be protected from the pests, the shapes of the targets are limited. In order to make the shape of the pest-repellent product conform to the shape of the targets, it is necessary to manufacture pest-repellent products of various shapes and sizes, which is uneconomical. Also, in the case of the aforementioned fire ants, an entire colony of fire ants enters outdoor transformers and control boxes for, for example, traffic signal controls in order to avoid rain and cold from everywhere, and the above-described pest-repellent products do not provide a sufficient solution to cover and protect the entire target device/equipment.
There are various forms of targets that may suffer damage caused by pests, and examples include produce, equipment or houses that are required to be hermetically sealed, equipment that needs to be placed outdoors, and equipment used outdoors (such as automobiles, motorcycles, and tractors). However, in the pest-repellent products described in the U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0139061 and JP-A-2004-357553,no consideration is paid to protection of the targets from pests by covering equipment of a comparatively large size, such as automobiles, motorcycles, and tractors, entirely with the pest-repellent products.
SUMMARY The present invention was devised in light of the circumstances described above. It is an object of the invention to provide a pest-control product with a simple structure that can protect target(s) from pests, regardless of the shape and size of the target.
According to an aspect of the invention, in order to achieve the object described above, a pest-control product for protecting a target from pests is provided. The pest-control product includes: a plurality of pest-control members, each of which at least partly is made of a material containing a pest-control component; and a connector for connecting the pest-control members.
This pest-control product is structured in such a way that the pest-control members are connected by a connector, and the number of pest-control members to be connected can be increased or decreased in accordance with the shape of the target to be protected from pests, and the pest-control product can easily conform to the shape of the target. Accordingly, the pest-control product can protect the target from pests, regardless of the shape and size of the target. Also, the pest-control members connected by the connector and used as a group are not scattered around apart from each other, so they can be easily collected after use. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as environmental contamination, and to enhance the traceability required for manufacturing quality management these days.
The word “pests” as used in relation to this invention not only indicates insects, but also is a generic term for small animals that may directly or indirectly damage, and thereby affect, humans, produce, machines, equipment, and so on. Examples of pests include ants, spiders, centipedes, cockroaches, geckos, mice, pigeons, crows, and any other similar animals.
The term “pest-control” used in relation to this invention means to expel, kill, or exterminate pests, protect targets from pests, and control (or inhibit) the growth of pests. Pest-control includes enticing pests in order to exert the pest-control effects described above.
Each pest-control member according to the invention can be made of, in its entirety, a material containing the pest-control component.
Also, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the pest-control product may be structured in such a way that the connector is flexible and can conform to the shape of the target. Because of this structure, the pest-control product can conform to the shape of the target more easily and protect the target from pests more reliably.
Moreover, the connector may have a net shape. In this case, the pest-control members may be placed at the intersections that define the net shape, or at other locations on the connector. If the pest-control members are placed at the intersections, a plurality of connectors may be coupled together by the pest-control members so as to form the connectors into a net shape, or the pest-control members may be placed at the intersections of a connector that was formed into a net shape in advance. Where the pest-control members are placed at the intersections of a connector that was formed into a net shape in advance, the pest-control members do not have to be placed at all the intersections.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention's pest-control product, the pest-control members can be attached to or detached from the connector. Because of this structure, the pest-control member can be easily replaced, for example, at the end of its life. Also, if the pest-control product does not have to be used any longer, the pest-control members can be removed from the connector and stored.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention's pest-control product, the pest-control members may be fixed to the connector.
Moreover, the connector may be made of a material containing the pest-control component. In this case, in addition to the aforementioned advantageous effects, it is possible to further enhance the pest-repelling effect.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention's pest-control product, the pest-control member may have a through-hole part to allow the connector to pass through. Because of this structure, the pest-control member can be attached to the connector more easily.
Furthermore, in the pest-control product according to the invention, the pest-control component contained in the pest-control member may be arbitrarily selected from a chemical biocidal component, a growth control component, a repellent component, and an attractant component. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a maximum of four kinds of pest-control members, i.e., pest-control members containing the chemical biocidal component, pest-control members containing the growth control component, pest-control members containing the repellent component, and pest-control members containing the attractant component.
Incidentally, for the plurality of pest-control members, it is preferable that at least two kinds of pest-control members containing different pest-control components are used.
The pest-control product according to the invention is structured in such a way that the connector is used to connect pest-control members made of a material containing a pest-control component, and the number of pest-control members to be connected can be increased or decreased in accordance with the shape of the target to be protected from the pests, and the pest-control product can easily conform to the shape of the target. As a result, the pest-control product can protect the target from pests, regardless of the shape and size of the target. Also, since the pest-control members are connected by the connector and used as a group, they can be easily collected after use. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as environmental contamination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pest-control product according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a main body of a pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product shown inFIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the main body shown inFIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a cover for the pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product shown inFIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the cover shown inFIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the pest-control member in the state where the cover inFIG. 4 is to be put on the main body inFIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product shown inFIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pest-control product shown inFIG. 1 in the state where it is applied to a tractor.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a front view of a pest-control member, which is a component of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention, in the state where its cover is to be put on its main body.
FIG. 11 is a front view of the pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product according to the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a front view of a pest-control member, which is a component of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention, in the state where its cover is to be put on its main body.
FIG. 13 is a front view of the pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product according to the embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a front view of a pest-control member, which is a component of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention, in the state where its cover is to be put on its main body.
FIG. 15 is a front view of the pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product according to the embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 17 is a side view of a pest-control member according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the pest-control member according to the embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a side view of a pest-control member according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the pest-control member according to the embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a pest-control product according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Pest-control products according to preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described below are for the purpose of describing this invention, but the invention is not limited only to those embodiments. Accordingly, this invention can be utilized in various ways unless those utilizations depart from the gist of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pest-control product according to an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2 is a front view of a main body of a pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 3 is a side view of the main body shown inFIG. 2.FIG. 4 is a front view of a cover of the pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 5 is a side view of the cover shown inFIG. 4.FIG. 6 is a front view of the pest-control member in the state where the cover inFIG. 4 is to be put on the main body inFIG. 2.FIG. 7 is a front view of the pest-control member, which is a component of the pest-control product shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pest-control product shown inFIG. 1 in the state where it is applied to a tractor.
As shown inFIG. 1, a pest-control product1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of pest-control members10 and a net50 that functions as a connector to connect the pest-control members10.
Various types of commercially available nets that are made of, for example, polyethylene or nylon can be used as the net50.
A pest-control member10 includes, as shown in FIGS.1 to7, a generally cylindricalmain body11 and acover12 that is placed on themain body11, with the cover able to be removed from themain body11 as necessary. Themain body11 and thecover12 are made of a resin containing a pest-control component.
Themain body11 and thecover12 can be molded using various known molding methods such as injection molding, extrusion molding, press molding, blow molding, and machining molding. There is no particular limitation on the shape of the pest-control member10 according to the invention, and the pest-control member10 can be formed into any shape, such as a flat plate, bar, cylindrical, comb, or spherical shape. Also, the pest-control member10 according to the invention can be formed by two-color or multi-color molding by using, for example, normal resin compositions or metals so that only a desired portion of the pest-control member10 is formed to be a structural member having pest-control properties.
The pest-control component can include chemical biocidal components, growth control components, repellent components, and attractant components. Examples of the pest-control component include compounds with pest-control properties, compounds with pest-killing/harming properties, and compounds with pest antifeedant properties and pest growth control properties. Possible specific examples are listed as follows: chloronicotinyl insecticides such as imidaclopride; compounds composed of neophil radicals having silicon atoms such as silafluorophen; carbamate compounds such as benflacarb, alanycarb, methoxydiazon, carbosufan, fenobucarb, carbaryl, methomyl, propoxur, and phenoxycarb; pyrethroid compounds such as pyrethrin, allethrin, dl,d-T80-allethrin, d-T80-resmethrin, bioallethrin, d-T80-phthalthrin, phthalthrin, resmethrin, furamethrin, propathrin, permethrin, acrinathrin, ethofenprox, tralomethrin, phenothrin, d-phenothrin, fenvalerate, empenthrin, prallethrin, tefluthrin, and benfluthrin; organic phosphorous compounds such as dichlorvos, fenitrothion, diazinon, malathion, promophos, fenthion, trichlorfon, naled, temephos, fenchlorphos, chlorpyrifosmetyl, cyafos, calchlophos, azamethiphos, pyridafenthion, propetamphos, and chlorpyrifos; and isomers, derivatives, and analogues of the aforementioned compounds. Also, compounds that control the growth of small animals, such as methoprene, pyriproxyfen, kinoprene, hydroprene, deohenoran, NC-170, flufenoxuron, diflubenzuron, lufenuron, and chlorfluazuron can be listed as examples. Examples-of miticides include kelsen, chlorfenapyr, tebufenpyrad pyridaben, milbemectin, and fenpyroximate. Examples of rodenticides include scilliroside, norbomide, zinc phosphide, thallium sulfate, yellow phophor, ANTU, warfarin, endocide, coumarin, cumatetralyl, promadioron, and difetiaron.
As the resin containing the pest-control component, at least one type of resin is selected from, for example, polyacetal resin, polyamide resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS resin), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), and thermoplastic elastomers obtained by mixing the above-listed resins with elastomers. It is also preferable that a compound to dissolve and maintain the pest-control component in the resin and give controlled-release properties to the resin is contained in the resin.
As a compound having the controlled-release properties, at least one type of compound can be selected from, for example, sulfonamide derivatives, sulfonate derivatives, carboxylic acid amide derivates, and carboxylate derivatives.
As described above, inclusion of the compound having the controlled-release properties in the resin enables the pest-control component to be released over a long period of time.
Themain body11 has a generally disk-shapedbase21 and a generallycylindrical wall22 that extends upright from a position near the periphery of thebase21. In thewall22,engagement holes23A and23B for engaging withengagement protrusions35A and35B of thecover12, described later in detail, are formed at respective opposite positions (which are apart by 180 degrees). Also, raisedparts24A and24B that protrude from an end face of thewall22 opposite thebase21 are formed respectively on that end face of thewall22 in areas where theengagement holes23A and23B are made. When thecover12 is put on the main body11 (seeFIG. 7), these raisedparts24A and24B come into contact with atop plate31 of thecover12 and define through-hole parts25 (seeFIG. 7), between themain body11 and thecover12, for allowing the net50, described later in detail, to pass through.
Thecover12 has a generally disk-shapedtop plate31 and a generallycylindrical wall32 that extends perpendicularly from a position near the periphery of thetop plate31. Thewall32 is partitioned by fourslits33A,33B,33C, and33D into fourparts34A,34B,34C, and34D. Theparts34A and34B are formed to have almost the same circumferential width with that of the raisedparts24A and24B of themain body11. When thecover12 is put on the main body (seeFIG. 7), parts of theslits33A and33B are located on both sides of the raisedpart24A and parts of theslits33C and33D are located on both sides of the raisedpart24B. The (exposed) parts of theslits33A,33B,33C, and33D that are located on both sides of the raisedparts24A and24B constitute through-hole parts25 (seeFIG. 7), described later in detail, for allowing the net50 to pass through.
Moreover, theparts34A and34B haverespective engagement protrusions35A and35B that engage with theengagement holes23A and23B in themain body11. As shown in detail inFIG. 5, eachengagement protrusion35A and35B has a hook shape with an inclined plane so that its protrusion amount gradually decreases from thetop plate31 side to its lower end as shown inFIG. 5.
The pest-control member10 having the above-described structure is attached to an intersection of the net50 by putting thecover12 on themain body11 and having theengagement protrusions35A and35B engage with theengagement holes23A and23B in such a matter that the four strings extending from the intersection of the net50 pass through the respective four through-hole parts25, which are formed on both sides of the raisedparts24A and24B. In this way, the pest-control product1 inFIG. 1 is formed.
In order to remove the pest-control member10 from the net50, it is only necessary to release the engagement between theengagement holes23A and23B and theengagement protrusions35A and35B.
Since in this pest-control product1 the net50 is made of a flexible material, even if the pest-control product1 is applied to a large-size target with a complicated shape, like atractor80 as shown inFIG. 8, the pest-control product1 can cover thetractor80 in conformity with the shape of thetractor80 and protect thetractor80 from pests. Also, since the pest-control members10 are attached to the net50, the pest-control members10 are connected by the connector and used as a group and can be easily collected after use.
This embodiment has described the case where the pest-control members10 are attached to the intersections of the net50. However, the attachment positions of the pest-control members10 are not limited to the intersections of the net50, and the pest-control members10 may be attached to other parts of the net50. Also, the pest-control members10 do not have to be attached to all the intersections of the net50. Of course, the attachment positions and the number of pest-control members10 to be attached can be changed as desired.
Furthermore, this embodiment has described the case where both themain body11 and thecover12 are made of a material containing the pest-control component. However, the invention is not limited to this example, and either themain body11 or thecover12 may be made of a material containing the pest-control component. The case where a resin is used as the material was described above. However, the material is not limited to resin, and any material can be selected as appropriate, according to the environment and conditions where the pest-control product1 is used, as long as the material contains the pest-control component and can exhibit the effect of the pest-control component.
The connector for connecting the pest-control members10 is not limited to the net50 and, for example, arope60 may be used as the connector as shown inFIG. 9. Of course, a connector having other structures may be used as long as it can connect a plurality of pest-control members10; for example, a sheet or a panel may be used to connect the respective pest-control members by forming attachment parts for the pest-control members10 on the sheet or the panel and attaching the pest-control members10 to those parts of the sheet or the panel. In this case, the sheet or the panel may be made of a material, either flexible or nonflexible. The connector itself may be made of a material containing the pest-control component.
The structure of the pest-control member10 is not limited to that described above, and various forms of the pest-control member10 are possible as long as the pest-control member10 is made of a material containing the pest-control component, and can be connected by the connector.
For example, the pest-control member according to the invention may be structured as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. Specifically speaking, a pest-control member100 shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 has amain body111 and acover112. Themain body111 and thecover112 are made of a material containing the pest-control component.
Themain body111 has a generally cylindrical shape. Thecover112 has a generally disk-shapedtop plate131 and a plurality oflegs132 extending perpendicularly from a position near the periphery of thetop plate131.Claws133 are formed at the top ends of thelegs132. When thecover112 is put on themain body111, theseclaws133 engage with the bottom face of themain body111. Accordingly, themain body111 is held by thecover112 as shown inFIG. 11 so that thecover112 can be detached from themain body111 as necessary. Themain body111 is formed so that spaces are formed between themain body111 and thetop plate131 of thecover112 when themain body111 is held by thecover112. These spaces constitute through-hole parts25 (seeFIG. 11) for allowing the connector to pass through.
Furthermore, the pest-control member according to the invention may be structured as shown inFIGS. 12 and 13. Specifically speaking, a pest-control member200 shown in FIGS.12 andFIG. 13 has amain body211 and acover212. Themain body211 and thecover212 are made of a material containing the pest-control component.
Themain body211 has a generally disk-shapedbase221, a generallycylindrical column222 extending upright from thebase221, and a generally disk-shapedflange223 formed on top of thecolumn222. Agroove233 that passes through thecolumn222 and theflange223 along the diameter is formed in an area corresponding to the diameter of thecolumn222 and theflange223 as seen from above.
Thecover212 has a generally disk-like shape and its cross-section is generally U-shaped. Aclaw234 is formed along the top end of the inside edge of thecover212. When thecover212 is put on themain body211, thisclaw234 engages with the flange of themain body211, with theclaw234 able to be detached from theflange223 as necessary. As a result, themain body211 is held by thecover212 as shown inFIG. 13, with thecover212 able to be detached from themain body211 as necessary. Thecover212 is formed so that a space is formed between themain body211 and the base221 when thecover212 is put on themain body211. The space formed by thegroove233 of themain body211 and thebase221 constitutes a through-hole part25 (seeFIG. 13) for allowing the connector to pass through.
Furthermore, the pest-control member according to the invention may be structured as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. Specifically speaking, a pest-control member300 shown inFIGS. 14 and 15 has amain body311 and acover312. Themain body311 and thecover312 are made of a material containing the pest-control component.
Themain body311 has a generally disk-like shape, and twogrooves333A and333B that are parallel to the diameter of themain body311 as seen from above pass through themain body311. Also, aclaw335 protrudes from themain body311 and engages with anengagement part334 of thecover312 described below in detail.
Thecover312 has a generally disk-like shape, is hollow, and is connected via ahinge336 to themain body311. Thiscover312 has theengagement part334 for engaging with theclaw335, with it able to be detached from theclaw335 as necessary, and theengagement part334 is located at a position corresponding to theclaw335 when thecover312 is put on themain body311. When thecover312 is put on themain body311, thegrooves333A and333B in themain body311 constitute through-hole parts25 (seeFIG. 15) for allowing the connector to pass through.
Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 16, a pest-control product2 according to the invention may be structured in such a way that pest-control members70 are fixed to the net50 in advance (i.e., the pest-control members70 are not detachable from the net50). Also, other structures in which the pest-control members are fixed to the connector in advance may be applied.
Moreover, the pest-control member according to the invention may be structured as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18. Specifically speaking, a pest-control member400 shown inFIGS. 17 and 18 has a generally disk-shapedmain body411 and a generally C-shapedhook412 formed on themain body411. Themain body411 and thehook412 are made of a material containing the pest-control component. The inside space of thehook412 constitutes a through-hole part25 for allowing the connector to pass through.
Furthermore, the pest-control member according to the invention may be structured as shown inFIGS. 19 and 20. Specifically speaking, a pest-control member500 shown inFIGS. 19 and 20 has a generally disk-shapedmain body511 and generally C-shapedhooks512 that are formed on themain body511 and whose top ends are open. Themain body511 and thehooks512 are made of a material containing the pest-control component. The inside space of thehooks512 constitutes a through-hole part25 for allowing the connector to pass through.
The pest-control member according to the invention may be at least one of: a pest-control member containing a chemical biocidal component, a pest-control member containing a growth control component, a pest-control member containing a repellent component, and a pest-control member containing an attractant component.
As shown inFIG. 21, a pest-control product3 in which pest-control members10A containing the chemical biocidal component and pest-control members10B containing the attractant component are placed on the net50 may be provided. In this case, the pests can be exterminated by having the pest-control members10B containing the attractant component attract the pests and the pest-control members10A containing the chemical biocidal component chemically kill the pests drawn to the pest-control product3.
Also, as shown inFIG. 22, a pest-control product4 in which pest-control members10C containing the growth control component and the pest-control member10B containing the attractant component are placed on the net50 may be provided. In this case, pests can be exterminated by having the pest-control members10B containing the attractant component attract the pests and controlling (inhibiting) the growth of the pests drawn to the pest-control product4.
Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 23, a pest-control product5 in which the pest-control members10A containing the chemical biocidal component and pest-control members10D containing the repellent component are placed on the net50 may be provided. In this case, the pests can be exterminated by using the pest-control members10D containing the repellent component to keep pests away from the target; and even if some pests come close to the target, the pest-control members10A containing the chemical biocidal component can chemically kill the pests.
The pest-control multi-functions can be enhanced by using combinations of the pest-control members10A to10D as appropriate, as shown in FIGS.21 to23. Examples of combinations of the pest-control members10A to10D, other than those described above, may include: a combination of the pest-control members10A containing the chemical biocidal component and the pest-control members10C containing the growth control component; and a combination of the pest-control members10C containing the growth control component and the pest-control members10D containing the repellent component. Also, three or more kinds of the pest-control members10A to10D may be used. The number and positions of the pest-control members10A to10D to be placed on the connector can be decided as desired.
Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 24, a pest-control product6 in which the pest-control members10A containing the chemical biocidal component, the pest-control members10B containing the attractant component, the pest-control members10C containing the growth control component, and the pest-control members10D containing the repellent component are placed on the net50 may be provided. As a result, pests can be exterminated more effectively. Specifically speaking, the effects of the chemical biocidal component, the growth control component, the repellent component, the attractant component on the pests may differ depending on the types of pests, and it is rare that only one kind of pest exists at places like outdoors, so it is normally necessary to exterminate multiple kinds of pests, and it is possible to control multiple kinds of pests by using multiple kinds (four kinds in this specification) of pest-control members10A to10D.
Furthermore, for the pest-control products3 to6 shown in FIGS.21 to24, a connector having other structures such as arope60, a sheet, or a panel can be used instead of the net50.